@Thot: My objection comes from the fact that NASA squandered billions of dollars over decades while leaving all SSTO options in the dirt, finally committing to a much-scaled-back project so late that we’ll have a gap in our manned space program.
FWIW, I know a lot of people who work for NASA, and I think the world of them. I suspect, however, that NASA’s administrative direction has been sad and lacking for quite a while. It the early '90s we were all excited about the NASP, then the DC-X – all the while NASA was not only failing to invest and support in those programs, but also financing their existing programs by canceling flights from the end of the Shuttle’s run. Back then, 2010 seemed a long way off. Now it’s here, and we’re facing the music: Soon the only way to get Americans to the ISS (or anywhere in orbit) is to beg rides.
Damn.
While I haven’t lost my faith in the scientists and workers that’ve made our space program great over the years, I have lost faith in NASA’s direction. I have high hopes for commercial space flight, and I hope that technological leaders like Burt Rutan can continue to hook up with cash-capable businesspeople like Paul Allen – thank you, BTW, Paul, for letting us all check out your awesome sci-fi collection in Seattle – and Sir Richard to make reasonable and non-political access to space possible.
And sorry. When you look up to an organization for most of your life, then they stomp on your dreams, it kinda pisses one off. </Rant>
